Method of manufacturing slide fastener stringers

ABSTRACT

A method of manufacturing a slide fastener stringer is disclosed as including the steps of cutting a row of transverse slits in a strip, and applying a row of reinforcements across the strip, placing a continuous coupling element on the strip so that head portions protrude out of the slits.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a divisional application of pending application Ser. No. 648,428filed Jan. 12, 1976 (which is incorporated herein by reference) andwhich issued July 18, 1978 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,656 as acontinuation-in-part application of parent application Ser. No. 539,642filed Jan. 9, 1975 which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 3,975,802 on Aug. 24,1976 and which is also incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to slide fasteners wherein continuous couplingelements are secured within a folded carrier tape with interlocking headelements protruding from openings in the folded edge.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The prior art, as exemplified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,557,303, 1,609,487,1,933,390, 1,937,297, 2,018,099, 3,430,304, 3,517,422 and 3,854,174,British Pat. No. 1,161,016, and French Pat. Nos. 452,527 and 1,135,269,contains a number of fasteners including slide fasteners having headportions of coupling elements protruding from openings formed in thefolded edge of a carrier tape. Despite the obvious cost advantage of lowcost strips such as synthetic polymer or paper strips over woven textiletapes, the employment of low cost slide fasteners having low cost tapeshas not been significant; this failure can be attributed to deficienciesin the prior art, such as inferior support for the coupling elements,unsightliness of the tapes, difficulty in attachment of the tapes to anarticle, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is summarized in that a stringer for a slide fastenerincludes a carrier tape formed from a strip longitudinally folded at oneedge; the carrier tape having a plurality of spaced slits formed in thestrip transversely over the one edge defining looped strap portionsextending over the one edge between the slits; a continuous couplingelement having a plurality of successive sections each including a headportion extending from a respective slit of the plurality of slits, andincluding an interconnecting portion extending through a respective oneof the looped strip portions and joined with an adjoining section; and aplurality of reinforcing sections of fiber secured to the strip andextending transverse the one edge of the strip over the respectiveinterconnecting portions.

An object of the invention is to manufacture a lower cost slide fastenerwith improved tape strength, reliability and ease of installation.

Another object of the invention is to reinforce a low cost strip used toform tapes in slide fasteners.

It is also an object of the invention to distribute stress from thecoupling elements of a slide fastener to a wide area of the supportingtape.

A further object of the invention is to manufacture a slide fastenerstringer having a low cost polymer tape with selected bonding means andwhich is not distorted nor unsightly.

One advantage of the invention is that it makes possible the manufactureof low cost slide fasteners suitable for use in applications wherepresent slide fasteners are too expensive, and suitable for replacingmore expensive slide fasteners used in products which do not require thesuperiority of woven tape slide fasteners.

Additional features of the invention include the optimization ofmechanical properties of a supporting tape by selecting slit directionand orientation or by selecting molecular orientation of the tape tomatch the coupling element supported by the tape.

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description of the preferred embodiments taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a slide fastener manufactured in accordancewith the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a broken away portion of one stringer ofthe fastener of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view with parts broken away of the stringer portion ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the stringer portion in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a strip used in the manufacture of the slidefastener of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 illustrating a second step in themanufacture.

FIG. 7 is a cross-section view of assembled parts in a later step thanshown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of a second variation of the strip.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the strip variation shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a second variation of the stringer for theslide fastener.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of assembled parts in an intermediate step ofmanufacture of the variation of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a third variation of the stringer for theslide fastener.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of assembled parts in an intermediate step of themanufacture of the variation of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a fourth variation of the slide fastenerstringer.

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIGS. 11 and 13 of the variation of FIG.14.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a fifth variation of the slide fastenerstringer.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of several assembled parts after an intermediatestep in the manufacture of the stringer of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a sixth variation of the slide fastenerstringer.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of assembled parts in an intermediate step of themanufacture of the variation of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a plan view similar to FIG. 19 illustrating a seventhvariation of the slide fastener stringer.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of a modified slide fastener in accordance withthe invention.

FIG. 22 is a cross-section view of a stringer of the fastener of FIG.21.

FIG. 23 is a plan view of assembled parts at an intermediate step in themanufacture of the stringer of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a cross-section view of the assembled parts of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a cross-section view similar to FIG. 24 but at a later stepin the manufacture of the stringer.

FIG. 26 is a cross-section view of a second variation of the modifiedstringer of FIG. 22.

FIG. 27 is a plan view of assembled parts at an intermediate step in themanufacture of the variation of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a cross-section view of the assembled parts of the variationof FIG. 26 at a manufacturing step later than that shown in FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a cross-section view of a third variation of the stringer ofFIG. 22.

FIG. 30 is a plan view of assembled parts at an intermediate step in themanufacture of the stringer variation of FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a cross-section view of assembled parts of the variation ofFIG. 29 but at a subsequent manufacturing step after that shown in FIG.30.

FIG. 32 is a cross-section of a fourth variation of the stringer of FIG.22.

FIG. 33 is a plan view of assembled parts at an intermediate step in themanufacture of the variation of FIG. 32.

FIG. 34 is a cross-section view of the assembled parts of FIG. 33.

FIG. 35 is a cross-section view similar to FIG. 34 but during a laterstep in the manufacture.

FIG. 36 is a cross-section view of a fifth variation of the stringer ofFIG. 22.

FIG. 37 is a cross-section view of assembled parts in an intermediatestep of the manufacture of the variation of FIG. 36.

FIG. 38 is a cross-section view of a sixth variation of the stringer ofFIG. 22.

FIG. 39 is a cross-section view of assembled parts in an intermediatestep of the manufacture of the variation of FIG. 38.

FIG. 40 is a plan view of another modified slide fastener stringer.

FIG. 41 is a cross-section view of the stringer of FIG. 40.

FIG. 42 is a plan view of a second variation of the stringer of FIGS. 40and 41.

FIG. 43 is a planar cross-section view of a third variation of themodified stringer of FIGS. 40 and 41.

FIG. 44 is a view similar to FIG. 43 of a fourth variation of themodified stringer of FIGS. 40 and 41.

FIG. 45 is a cross-section view of still another modified stringer for aslide fastener.

FIG. 46 is a cross-section view of a second variation of the stringer ofFIG. 45.

FIG. 47 is a cross-section view of a third variation of the modifiedstringer of FIG. 45.

FIG. 48 is a cross-section view of a fourth variation of themodification of FIG. 45.

FIG. 49 is a cross-section view of a further modification of the slidefastener stringer.

FIG. 50 is a cross-section view of a variation of the modification ofFIG. 49.

FIG. 51 is a plan view of a still further modified slide fastenerstringer.

FIG. 52 is a cross-section view of the modified stringer of FIG. 51.

FIG. 53 is a bottom view of a second variation of the modification ofFIG. 51.

FIG. 54 is a cross-section view of the variation of FIG. 53.

FIG. 55 is a bottom view of a third variation of the modification ofFIG. 51.

FIG. 56 is a bottom view of a fourth variation of the modification ofFIG. 51.

FIG. 57 is a cross-section view showing an application of the variationof FIG. 46.

FIG. 58 is a cross-section view of a second variation of FIG. 57.

FIG. 59 is a cross-section view of a third variation of FIG. 57.

FIG. 60 is a cross-section view of a slide fastener stringer in whichseveral modifications of previous Figs. have been combined.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated in FIG. 1 a slide fastener manufactured in accordancewith the invention includes a pair of planarly disposed tape membersindicated generally at 70 and 72, a pair of interlocking couplingelements indicated generally at 74 and 76, and a conventional slider 78which is slidable along the coupling elements 74 and 76 for opening andclosing the interlocking coupling elements. As viewed in FIG. 1, thetape member 70 and the coupling element 74 form a left stringer and thetape member 72 and the coupling element 76 form a right stringer. Theright stringer is substantially a mirror image of the left stringer.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 the coupling element 74 is acontinuous coupling element, such as a spiral coil coupling elementhaving successive sections each including a head portion 80 and aninterconnecting portion 82 connected to an adjoining section. Theillustrated spiral coupling element is formed into the successivesections or convolutions from a continuous filament, such as a nylon ora polyester monofilament, which has an oblate cross section, such as aD-shaped cross section. In the spiral coupling element 74 an upper legportion 84 and a lower leg portion 86 extend from respective upper orlower sides of the head portion 80 and interconnect with the connectingor heel portions 82 to the respective adjoining sections of the couplingelement 74.

The support tape 70 is formed from a strip 90, FIG. 5, which has alongitudinal row of transverse slits 92 formed in an intermediatesection thereof the define strap portions 94 extending between oppositestrip portions or halves 96 and 98. As illustrated in FIG. 7 thecoupling element 74 is assembled on one side of the strip 90 such thatthe head portions 80 and the leg portions 84 and 86 protrude from theslits 92, FIG. 3, on the other side of the strip 90 and theinterconnecting portions 82 extend across or under the strap portions 94on the one side of the strip 90. Then the strip is folded longitudinallyalong the intermediate portion to bring the opposite strip portions 96and 98 together, FIG. 4, whereby the strap portions 94 form loops overthe interconnecting portions 82 of the coupling elements. The strip 90is formed from a low cost material, such as paper, plastic or the like;in the illustrated embodiment a synthetic polymer film material is used,such as a high density polyethelene or a similar polymer with suitableflexibilty and strength.

The slits 92 are formed at an oblique angle to the folded edge of thetape 70 so that the leg portions 84 and 86 of each convolution extendinto opposite halves of the respective slit 92 at points spacedlongitudinally along the folded edge of the member 70. As shown in FIG.3, the monofilament forming the spiral coupling element 74 is twistedsuch that the longest dimensions of the oblate cross sections in the legportions 84 and 86 are substantially aligned with each other and withthe slits 92 where the leg portions 84 and 86 exit from the slits 92.The strap portions 94 are substantially wider than the slits 92 andextend generally perpendicular to the interconnecting portions 82.

The relatively wide strap portions 94 result in support of theinterconnecting portions 82 by substantially the full strength of thestrip 90. The alignment of the long dimension of the oblate crosssection of the filament with the slits 92 results in wide distributionof the forces on the strap portions 94 and reduces point forces at theslits 92 increasing the resistance against tearing of the strap portions94.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 6, a plurality of reinforcing fibersections 100 are secured to the inside surface of the folded strip 90and extend over the interconnecting portions 82 of the coupling element74. The reinforcing sections of fiber 100 extend transverse the strip 90and have opposite portions extending onto the respective strip portions96 and 98 such that when the strip is folded together the oppositeportions of the fiber sections are sandwiched between the opposite stripportions 96 and 98. The reinforcing fibers 100 are selected tostrengthen the fastener while not stiffening or otherwise deterioratingperformance. The fiber sections 100 are a material, such as yarn ends orthe like, which is flexible but has a substantially greater tensilestrength than the film or strip 90. The reinforcing fiber sections 100are laid at an oblique angle to the longitudinal dimension of the strip90, such as the 45° angle as shown in the variation of FIGS. 2 and 6, ata 15° angle as shown in the variation of FIGS. 10 and 11, at a 60° angleas shown in the variation of FIGS. 12 and 13; or the reinforcing fibersare laid about perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the strip90 as shown in the variation of FIGS. 14 and 15. In the variation ofFIGS. 16 and 17 some of the fibers are laid perpendicular to the stripwhile others of the fibers are laid at an oblique angle to the strip 90.The oblique angle of the fiber sections 100 of the variation of FIGS. 2,12 and 16 is sufficient that the end portions of the fiber sections 100on one strip half cross the opposite end portions of the sections on theother strip half.

In the variations of FIGS. 2, 10, 12, 14 and 16 the reinforcing fibers100 are illustrated as being severed lengths of fiber; however, thesections 100 are illustrated in the variations of FIGS. 18-20 aresections of a continuous reinforcing fiber which is looped to extendback and forth across the strip 90. In the stringer of FIGS. 18 and 19the continuous fiber is looped in a sinuous pattern while FIG. 20 showsthe formation of closed loops by the continuous reinforcing fiber. Theloops of reinforcing fiber 100 are formed to extend down over theopposite strip halves 96 and 98 such that stitches 102, FIG. 18, passthrough the loops in attaching the stringer to an article.

Various means can be employed to secure the reinforcing fiber section100 to the strip 90 including an adhesive on the strip or on the fibersections, a thermoplastic bond, or the like. Conveniently, the samesecuring means is used to bond the opposite halves 96 and 98 of thestrip 90 together when the opposite halves are folded together. If theopposite halves 96 and 98 of the strip 90 are bonded together by athermoplastic heat sealing technique, the fiber sections 100 can besecured by the bond between the opposite halves 96 and 98.

The fiber sections 100 substantially increase the strength of the tapemember 70 and the support given to the coupling element 74. At least asubstantial portion of a lateral force on the coupling element 74 isapplied to the reinforcing fiber sections 100; the perpendicularlyextending fibers in FIG. 14 and 16 have the most strength against alateral force. When the reinforcing fiber sections 100 are laid at anoblique angle, the tape member 70 is also reinforced in its longitudinaldimension and the crosswise force on each section of the couplingelement 72 is spread over a greater longitudinal section of the tapemember 70. For example, in the variation of FIG. 10, the crosswise forceof each coupling element section is spread by the reinforcing fibersections 100 over an area of the tape member 70 substantially greaterthan the strap portion 94; in the variation of FIG. 2, the force isspread over an area which is longitudinally much wider; and in FIG. 12the forces are spread over an even larger longitudinal area. Thereinforcing fiber sections 100 which cross as in the variations of FIGS.2, 12 and 16, provide interlinking of the support from adjacent fiberscausing the folded edge of the strip to have a very stable longitudinaldimension; thus the head-to-head displacement of the coupling element 74is maintained under substantially greater forces than in the absence ofsuch crossing reinforcing fiber sections. Where both perpendicularextending fiber sections and oblique extending fiber sections areincluded as shown in FIG. 16, even greater transverse and longitudinalstrength is imparted to the tape member 70.

The size and number of the reinforcing fiber sections per unit length ofthe tape member 70 can be varied. Only one reinforcing fiber section ina selected direction is illustrated per strap portion 94; however manymore, less, or a random number per unit length of strip could beemployed. Reinforcing fiber sections with various sizes, shapes andphysical properties can be selected and laid in various geometricarrangements to tailor the fastener properties for specificapplications.

It is noted that in the several modifications and their variationsillustrated in the drawings, the same numerals are used to identifyparts which are substantially similar in structure and/or function. Forbrevity, parts described in a previous modification or variation are notdescribed in detail in the descriptions of the subsequent modificationsor variations except to the extent necessary to understand suchsubsequent mmodifications or variations.

The properties of the tape member 70 can be varied by selecting a highlyoriented thermoplastic material for the strip 90. In FIGS. 8 and 9 thestrip 90 is formed by laminated layers 104 and 106 which have respectivemolecular orientations as illustrated by the respective arrows 108 and110; such a laminated material with cross orientation is available underthe trademark VALERON from Van Lear Plastics Inc. The molecularorientations 108 and 110 are transverse to the longitudinal dimensionwith the molecular orientation 108 being generally at the same obliqueangle as the slits 92 so that the molecular orientation 108 is generallyparallel the strap portions 94. The molecular orientation 110 is at anoblique angle opposite to the orientation 108 so as to cross theorientation 108. Alternately a single ply material having theorientation 108 can be used.

The plastic strip material has a substantially greater strength in thedirection of molecular orientation so that it is thus seen that bymaking the orientation 108 parallel to the direction of the strapportions 94 of the strip 90, the strength of the strap portions 94 issubstantially increased. Additionally the oblique angle of theorientation 108 results in the orientation of the opposite halves oflongitudinal strip 90 crossing when the opposite halves are foldedtogether; this crossing increasing the stability and strength of thetape members of the slide fasteners. Similarly, the crossing of theorientation 110 increases the strength and stability of the tapemembers.

In the modification of FIGS. 21-25, beads or raised ridges 112 and 114are provided in the respective tape members 70 and 72 contiguous thecoupling elements 64 and 66 for providing a slider flange bearing area.The bead 112 as illustrated in FIGS. 22-25 is formed by includinglongitudinal cord means such as a pair of cords 116 and 118 secured tothe respective strip portions 96 and 98 on opposite sides of theintermediate section of the strip 90 including the slits 92. When thestrip portions 96 and 98 are folded together the cords 116 and 118 aresecured in engagement with each other and in abutting relationship tothe external surfaces of the interconnecting portions 82 of the couplingelement 74 between the strip portions 96 and 98. The cords 96 and 98 aremade from a material which has the ability to cushion and distributeexternal forces on the bead 112 as well as from the interconnectingportions 82. The cords 116 and 118 are deformable in cross section sothat they are compressed and conform to the interconnecting portions 82and by the securing of the strip portions 96 and 98 together. The cords116 and 118 preferrably have a cross-sectional size sufficient to form abead 112 raised from the plane of the tape member 70 by a distance aboutequal or slightly greater than the amount the coupling element 74extends above the plane of the tape member 70. The cords 116 and 118 canbe secured to the strip 90 before of after the assembly of the couplingelement 74 by an adhesive either on the strip 90 or on the cords 116 and118; or the cords 116 and 118 may be laid in and then secured by thesecuring of the opposite strip portions 96 and 98 together. Also thecords 116 and 118 have a selected tensile strength to impart a selectedlongitudinal reinforcement to the folded edge of the strip.

The cords 116 and 118 increase the durability of the stringer byabsorbing and distributing forces from the slider operation. Support forthe coupling element is also increased both (1) with respect tomaintenance of longitudinal spacing of head elements 80 due to thetensile strength of the cords 116 and 118, and (2) with respect to themaintenance of the linearity and proper lateral extension of the headelements 80 due the compression of the cords 116 and 118 against theinterconnecting portions 82.

In the variation illustrated in FIGS. 26, 27 and 28, a plurality ofreinforcing fiber sections 100 are applied transverse the strip 90 toextend between the cords 116 and 118 and the strip 90 prior to theassembly of the coupling element 74 such that the reinforcing fibersections 100 extend around the interconnecting portions 82 and the cords116 and 118 when the tape 100 is folded and the strip halves or portions96 and 98 are secured together. In addition to substantially reinforcingthe strength of the tape member 70 against lateral forces, thereinforcing fiber sections 100 increase the securement of the cords 116and 118 against the interconnecting portions 82.

In the variation shown in FIGS. 29, 30 and 31 only a single cord 118 isincluded, and the single cord is secured to the strip portion 98 with asubstantially greater portion of the strip portion 98 surrounding thecircumference of the cord 118 than the strip portion 96 such that thetape 80 is offset from the bead 112 and the coupling element 74. Thus asshown in FIG. 29, the upper side of the stringer can be made relativelysmooth without any raised portion as in the variation of FIG. 26 whereinthe coupling element 74 and the bead 112 extend above the tape 70.

As illustrated in FIGS. 32, 33, 34 and 35, the cords 116 and 118 can befirst positioned on the opposite strip portions 96 and 98 and then thereinforcing fiber sections 100 laid over the cords 116 and 118 prior toassembly of the coupling element 74. Thus when the strip 90 is foldedthe fiber sections 100 extend between the cords 116 and 118 and aroundthe interconnecting portions 82 of the coupling element 74. The cords116 and 118 prevent any uneveness of the bead 112 due to the reinforcingfiber sections 100 interfering with slider flange movement, and furtherprotect the fiber sections 100 from damage due to slider flangemovement.

Some of the reinforcing fiber sections 100 are laid onto the strip 90before the assembly of the cords 116 and 118 while others of the fibersections 100 are laid over the cords 116 and 118 after the applicationsof the cords 116 and 118, but all the fiber sections 100 are laid priorto assembly of the coupling element 74 in the variation shown in FIGS.36 and 37. Thus when the strip 90 is folded some of the reinforcingfiber sections 100 pass around the cords 116 and 118 and theinterconnecting portions 82 of the coupling element 74 while others ofthe reinforcing fiber sections 100 extend between the cords 116 and 118and around the interconnecting portions 82.

As illustrated in FIGS. 38 and 39, the sixth variation of the cordedstringer includes four cords 116, 118, 116a and 118a to form the bead112. The cords 116a and 118a are first laid onto the strip 90 and thenthe reinforcing fiber sections 100 are laid over the cords 116a and 118awith the cords 116 and 118 being subsequently applied. The couplingelement 74 is assembled after the fiber sections 100 are laid. Thus whenthe tape 90 is folded, the reinforcing fiber sections 100 pass betweenthe cords 116a and 118a but around the cords 116 and 118 and theinterconnecting portions 82 of the coupling element 74. The reinforcingfiber sections 100 hold the cords 116 and 118 against theinterconnecting portions 82, and the cords 116a and 118a protect thefiber sections 100 as well as preventing any uneveness of theslider-flange bearing bead 112.

In the modification illustrated in FIGS. 40 and 41, only selected areasof the overlying strip portions 96 and 98 are bonded together, such asbonds 120, 122 and 124 formed between longitudinal stripe areas of thestrip portions 96 and 98. The bond 124 is contiguous the bead 112 so asto secure the cords 116 and 118 together in engagement or compressionwith the interconnecting portions 82 of the coupling element 74. Thestrip portions of the tape member 70 in the variation of FIG. 42 arebonded together only in longitudinally spaced areas 126 which areelongated transverse the tape member 70. In the variation of FIG. 43, abond 128 is formed in a longitudinal stripe between the strip portionsof the strip contiguous the interconnecting portions 82 and the oppositestrip portions are also bonded together at short longitudinal sections130 and 132 forming respective broken longitudinal lines. The strapportions 94 of the strip 90 in FIG. 44 are bonded at 134 to theinterconnecting portions 82 of the coupling element. Also in FIG. 44 thestrip halves are bonded together in small round areas 136 forming a rowof dots. The reinforcing fiber sections 100 are secured in variousportions of the bonded areas 128, 130 and 132 of FIGS. 43 and 44.

The bonds 120, 122, 124, 128, 130, 132, 134 and 136 are formed by asuitable bonding means such as a suitable adhesive, heat sealing,ultrasonic bonding, inductive sealing of selectively placed magnetic ordielectric susceptive material, etc.

Where an adhesive coating on the fiber sections 100 is employed, forexample in the variation of FIGS. 1-7, the adhesive could be athermosetting material, such as a cyanoacrylate adhesive, which iscontrolled in quantity and flowability to spread only to an areaadjacent the fiber sections 100 where the strip halves 96 and 98 areforced together. A coating of an agent, such as 1,1,1-Trichloroethane,on the inside surface of the strip 90 can be used to speed the cure rateof the thermosetting material and to further control the degree ofadhesive spread out from the fiber to the adjacent areas between thestrip portions 96 and 98.

The bonding of only selected areas of the strip halves of the supporttape member 70 together provides the optimum utilization of adhesive orareas of bond as well as providing for superior performance of thefastener. The partial bonding adequately secures the strip halves 96 and98 together and minimizes distortion, stretching or weakening of thestrip 90 due to the bonding. Further the bonding of the plastic stripportions together can be used to produce a pattern on the outside of thetape member 70 to make the slide fastener more pleasing and appealing inappearance. By selecting from various patterns of bonding the oppositestrip portions, the performance of the fastener, i.e. the flexibility,the ease of operation, point loading, lateral loading, etc., can betailored to meet a particular use of the fastener.

In the modification of FIG. 45, a portion 140 of the strip portion 96 isfolded over the edge of the strip portion 98 opposite the couplingelement 74 to extend back beneath the strip portion 98 to about the bead112. In the variation of FIG. 46, portions 140 and 142 of the respectivestrip portions 96 and 98 are folded opposite the coupling element 74inward against each other between the strip portions 96 and 98. A narrowfolded portion 144 of the strip portions 98 is folded over the edge ofthe strip portion 96 and only extends a short distance toward the bead112 in the variation of FIG. 46. FIG. 48 illustrates a double-wrapvariation of the tape member 70 wherein the portion 140 is folded insidebetween the strip portions 96 and 98 and the portion 142 is folded overthe strip portion 96 and folded portion 140.

The folded tape members 70 of FIGS. 45-48 provide for various smooth andfinished edges as well as producing various thicknesses of the tapemembers which may be desirable in different uses of the fastener. Alsothe additional plys of the strip in the tape member 70 produced by thefolding results in increasing the strength of the tape members 70.

A sewing guide is formed on the modification of FIG. 49 by forming alongitudinal pucker or ridge 146 in the upper strip portion 96. In FIG.50 the upper strip portion 96 is made narrow while the lower stripportion is folded at an edge opposite the coupling element 74 to extendback on itself to just about to the edge of the upper strip portion 96;the space 148 between the edges of the strip portions 96 and 98 or theedges of the strip portions 96 and 98 forming a longitudinal sewingguide. The sewing guide can be used in sewing the tape member 70 to anarticle.

In the modification shown in FIGS. 51 and 52, an adhesive 150 (shown bythe stippling) between the strip portions 96 and 98 is exposed throughcutouts 152 in the strip portion 96. The adhesive 150 can be anymaterial which can be used to adhere the tape member 70 to an article.Also the adhesive 150 secures the strip portions 96 and 98 together aswell as securing the cord 116. The cutouts 152 are elongated transversethe longitudinal dimension of the tape member 70.

The adhesive 150 in the variation of FIGS. 53 and 54 between the stripportion 98 and the folded over portion 140 is exposed through triangularcutouts 154 forming a profiled edge on the portion 140. Reinforcingfiber sections between the strip portions 96 and 98 would not be exposedin this variation.

Various other shapes and arrangements of cutouts, such as triangularcutouts on a profiled edge of the strip portion 98 in the variation ofFIG. 55 and a pair of longitudinal rows of circular cutouts 158 in thestrip portion 98 of the variation of FIG. 56, can be used to exposevarious patterns of adhesive producing a selected attachment for anarticle.

As illustrated in FIG. 57, the double folded tape member 70 of FIG. 46can be fastened by means, such as stitches 102, on an edge of an openingin an article 160 with the folded portions 140 and 142 engaging oppositesides of the article 160; the exposed smooth rounded edges of the foldsproducing a pleated appearance. In FIG. 58, only the upper strip portion96 is folded in; the lower strip portion 98 being left with anunfinished edge. A cord 162 is inserted in the fold in the upper stripportion 96 in the variation of FIG. 59 to produce a bead 164 adding tothe appearance of the article with the fastener.

Various features of the previously described modifications andvariations can be combined in a selected manner, for example as shown inthe modification of FIG. 60 which includes the reinforcing fibersections 100 and oblique strap portions with aligned cross sections ofoblate leg portions 84 and 86 of FIGS. 1-7, the oriented polymer layers104 and 106 of FIGS. 8 and 9, the beaded edge 112 with cords 116 and 118of FIGS. 21-28, the bonding means 120, 122 and 124 of FIGS. 40 and 41,the folded opposite edge portion 140 of FIG. 45, the sewing guide 146 ofFIG. 49, and the cutouts 152 exposing the adhesive 150 of FIG. 51.

Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail may be madeto the described embodiments, it is intended that all matter in theforegoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of forming a stringer for a slidefastener comprisingcutting a row of spaced transverse slits in a stripalong a longitudinal section intermediate the edges of the strip;applying a row of reinforcing sections of fiber on one side of the striptransversely across the intermediate longitudinal section of the strip;assembling a continuous coupling element onto the one side of the stripsuch that head portions of the continuous coupling element protrude fromthe respective slits on the other side of the strip and such thatinterconnecting portions of the coupling element between successive headportions extend on the one side of the strip under strap portions of thestrip defined between the slits; and folding the strip longitudinallyalong the intermediate section such that the strap portions and thereinforcing sections of fiber form loops around the interconnectingportions.
 2. A method of forming a stringer for a slide fastener asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said fiber sections are applied to extendsubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the strip.3. A method of forming a stringer for a slide fastener as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said fiber sections are applied to extend at an obliqueangle to the longitudinal dimension of the strip.
 4. A method of forminga stringer for a slide fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein some ofsaid fiber sections are applied to extend substantially perpendicular tothe longitudinal dimension of the tape, and others of said fibersections are applied to extend at an oblique angle to the longitudinaldimension of the strip.
 5. A method of forming a stringer for a slidefastener as claimed in claim 1 including applying cord means to theinside surface of the strip prior to folding, and bonding the overlyingstrip portions of the tape together such that the cord is securedbetween the strip portions in engagement with the interconnectingportions of the coupling element.
 6. A method of forming a stringer fora slide fastener as claimed in claim 1 including applying a pair ofcords to the inside surface of the strip portions on opposite sides ofthe intermediate sections prior to folding, and bonding the overlyingportions of the strip on opposite sides of the strap portions togethersuch that the pair of cords are secured together and in engagement withthe interconnecting portions of the coupling element.
 7. A method offorming a stringer for a slide fastener as claimed in claim 6 whereinthe cords are applied after the fiber sections are applied so that thefiber section loops extend around the cords after folding.
 8. A methodof forming a stringer for a slide fastener as claimed in claim 6 whereinsaid cords are applied before the fiber sections are applied so that thefiber sections extend between the cords when the strip is folded.
 9. Amethod of forming a stringer for a slide fastener as claimed in claim 6wherein some of the fiber sections are applied to the strip before thecords are applied so that the some fiber sections extend around thecords, and others of the fiber sections are applied to the strip afterthe cords are applied so that the other fiber sections extend betweenthe cords when the strip is folded.
 10. A method of forming a stringerfor a slide fastener as claimed in claim 1 including forming a sewingguide line on the tape.
 11. A method of forming a stringer for a slidefastener as claimed in claim 10 wherein the sewing guide is formed byfolding one of the strip portions over the edge of the tape opposite theprotruding head elements such that the edge of the one strip portionforms a sewing guide.
 12. A method of forming a stringer for a slidefastener as claimed in claim 10 wherein the sewing guide is formed byforming a longitudinally puckered line in one of the overyling stripportions.
 13. A method of forming a stringer for a slide fastener asclaimed in claim 1 including folding back one of the strip portionsopposite to the protruding head portions.
 14. A method of forming astringer for a slide fastener as claimed in claim 13 wherein the onestrip portion is folded over the edge of the other strip portion.
 15. Amethod of forming a stringer for a slide fastener as claimed in claim 13including folding both of the strip portions opposite to the protrudinghead portions.
 16. A method of forming a stringer for a slide fasteneras claimed in claim 15 wherein one of the strip portions is folded overthe folded edge of the other strip portion.
 17. A method of forming astringer for a slide fastener as claimed in claim 15 wherein both of thestrip portions are folded inward so that they are against each otherwhen the strip is folded.
 18. A method of forming a stringer for a slidefastener as claimed in claim 13 including securing the opposite stripportions to opposite sides of an article.
 19. A method of forming astringer for a slide fastener comprisingcutting a row of spacedtransverse slits in a synthetic polymer strip along a longitudinalsection intermediate opposite longitudinal edge portions of the strip;assembling a continuous coupling element onto one side of the strip suchthat head portions of the continuous coupling element protrude from therespective slits on the other side of the strip, and such thatinterconnecting portions of the coupling element between successive headportions extend on the one side of the strip across strap portions ofthe strip between the slits; folding the strip longitudinally along theintermediate section such that the strap portions form loops around theinterconnecting portions, and opposite edge strip portions are broughttogether in overlying relationship; andbonding only portions of theoverlying strip portions together to form a carrier tape for thestringer.
 20. A method of forming a stringer for a slide fastener asclaimed in claim 19 wherein only longitudinally spaced areas of theoverlying strip portions are bonded together to form a pattern on thecarrier tape.
 21. A method of forming a stringer for a slide fastener asclaimed in claim 19 including applying a row of sections of reinforcingfiber transversely across the intermediate longitudinal section of thestrip on the one side of the strip prior to the assembly of the couplingelement, said bonding including the bonding of opposite end portions ofthe sections of fiber between the overlying strip portions.
 22. A methodof forming a stringer for a slide fastener as claimed in claim 19including applying longitudinal cord means to the inside of the stripprior to the bonding and after assembly of the coupling element, saidfolding and said bonding securing the cord between the opposite stripportions in engagement with the interconnecting portions.
 23. A methodof forming a stringer for a slide fastener comprisingcutting a row ofspaced transverse slits in a strip along a longitudinal sectionintermediate opposite longitudinal edge portions of the strip; applyingan adhesive to one of the opposite strip portions; forming the stripportions such that when the strip portions are folded together a portionof the adhesive is left exposed suitable for attaching the stringer toan article; assembling a continuous coupling element onto one side ofthe strip such that head portions of the continuous coupling elementprotrude from the respective slits on the other side of the strip, andsuch that interconnecting portions of the coupling element betweensuccessive head portions extend on the one side of the strip acrossstrap portions of the strip between the slits; and folding the striplongitudinally across the intermediate section such that the strapportions form loops around the interconnecting portions, and such thatadhesive bonds the opposite strip portions together forming a stringer.24. A method of forming a stringer for a slide fastener as claimed inclaim 23 including forming cutouts in the strip prior to folding suchthat the adhesive is exposed through the cutouts.
 25. A method offorming a stringer for a slide fastener as claimed in claim 81 includingapplying a row of sections of reinforcing fiber transversely across theintermediate longitudinal section of the strip on the one side of thestrip portion prior to the assembly of the coupling element, saidadhesive securing the fiber sections to the strip.
 26. A method offorming a stringer for a slide fastener as claimed in claim 24 includingapplying a cord to the inside of the strip after assembly of thecoupling element, said adhesive securing the cord between the oppositestrip portions in engagement with the interconnecting portions of thecoupling element.